Facebook Working on 'Clear History' Tool for Ads and Analytics - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Facebook Working on 'Clear History' Tool for Ads and Analytics

by

facebookappAhead of Facebook's F8 Developer Conference, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook is building a new "Clear History" privacy control option to erase some of the data Facebook has collected.

Zuckerberg likens the new Clear History tool to the ability to clear cookies and cache on a web browser. Zuckerberg says it "will be a simple control" that will clear browsing history on Facebook, erasing what you've clicked on, the websites you've visited, the ads you've interacted with, and more.

Facebook's first focus will be on the information that Facebook gets from websites and apps that use Facebook's ads and analytics tools. When the Clear History update debuts, users will be able to see and erase this information.

Once we roll out this update, you'll be able to see information about the apps and websites you've interacted with, and you'll be able to clear this information from your account. You'll even be able to turn off having this information stored with your account.

Zuckerberg warns that after clearing your content "your Facebook won't be as good" until it relearns your preferences, but he says Facebook believes this is an "example of the kind of control we think you should have."

Zuckerberg says the company is working to make sure the controls are clear, and that more info will come soon. Additional details on new privacy control options may be shared at today's F8 conference, which begins soon.

Top Rated Comments

104 months ago
Title should read: Facebook Scrambling on.....

(as Zuck watches in horror as account cancellations hit an all time high)
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
shamino Avatar
104 months ago
Zuckerberg ... says Facebook believes this is an "example of the kind of control we think you should have."
Funny how they didn't think you needed this control until after a massive scandal caused them to lose tons of customers and after European law forced them to implement something.

But I guess it wouldn't be good for business to say "you're all a bunch of dumb meat-bags and we couldn't care less about your privacy, but if we don't do this, we're going to be sued into the ground, since we seem unable to pay off enough governments to look the other way."

(Maybe this is too sarcastic? But probably not by much.)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
centauratlas Avatar
104 months ago
It should say: “Clear history” of data over which Facebook still has control.

If Facebook has already shared it with other people or others have discovered it, you are out of luck.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
104 months ago

Ahead of Facebook's F8 Developer Conference, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced ('https://www.facebook.com/zuck/posts/10104899855107881') that Facebook is building a new "Clear History" privacy control option to erase some of the data Facebook has collected.

Zuckerberg likens the new Clear History tool to the ability to clear cookies and cache on a web browser. Zuckerberg says it "will be a simple control" that will clear browsing history on Facebook, erasing what you've clicked on, the websites you've visited, the ads you've interacted with, and more.

Facebook's first focus will be on the information that Facebook gets from websites and apps that use Facebook's ads and analytics tools. When the Clear History update debuts, users will be able to see and erase this information.Zuckerberg warns that after clearing your content "your Facebook won't be as good" until it relearns your preferences, but he says Facebook believes this is an "example of the kind of control we think you should have."

Zuckerberg says the company is working to make sure the controls are clear, and that more info will come soon. Additional details on new privacy control options may be shared at today's F8 conference, which begins soon.

Article Link: Facebook Working on 'Clear History' Tool for Ads and Analytics ('https://www.macrumors.com/2018/05/01/facebook-clear-history-tool-coming/')
[doublepost=1525195132][/doublepost]I have no faith whatsoever in what Facebook say about privacy and advertising. They don't respect any privacy settings or préférences regarding the ads.
I get bombed with any ads they wish to send, even the most fishy of them.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

macOS 27 on MacBook Pro

macOS 27 Will Mark the End of an Era

Saturday April 18, 2026 6:45 am PDT by
During its Platforms State of the Union segment at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that macOS 26 Tahoe is the final major macOS version for Intel-based Macs. The upcoming macOS 27 release will be compatible with Apple silicon Macs only, meaning that you will need a Mac with an M-series chip or a MacBook Neo with an A18 Pro chip in order to install the software update. macOS 27 should be available...
Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple Says CarPlay Ultra is Coming to These Vehicle Brands

Saturday April 18, 2026 5:59 am PDT by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly a year later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. CarPlay Ultra...
Tim Cook Rainbow

Apple CEO Tim Cook Stepping Down, John Ternus Taking Over

Monday April 20, 2026 1:33 pm PDT by
Apple CEO Tim Cook is stepping down as Apple's chief executive officer, and hardware engineering chief John Ternus is set to take over, Apple announced today. Cook will continue on as Apple CEO through the summer, with Ternus set to join Apple's Board of Directors and take over as CEO on September 1, 2026. Cook is going to transition to executive chairman, and he will "assist with certain...